| .38-56 WCF | |
| Origin: | United States |
| Type: | Rifle |
| Production Date: | 1887–1930s |
| Is Si Specs: | No |
| Case Type: | Rimmed, Bottleneck |
| Bullet: | .3775 |
| Neck: | .40 |
| Shoulder: | .445 |
| Base: | .505 |
| Rim Dia: | .605 |
| Rim Thick: | .065 |
| Case Length: | 2.10 |
| Length: | 2.50 |
| Primer: | Large rifle |
| Is Si Ballistics: | No |
| Bw1: | 220 |
| Btype1: | RN |
| Vel1: | 1750 |
| En1: | 1496 |
| Bw2: | 275 |
| Btype2: | FN |
| Vel2: | 1382 |
| En2: | 1166 |
| Test Barrel Length: | 26" |
| Balsrc: | LoadData.com,[1] Rifle Magazine[2] |
The .38-56 Winchester Center Fire or .38-56 Winchester cartridge was introduced in 1887 by Winchester for the Winchester Model 1886,[3] and was also used in the Marlin Model of 1895.
Production of Winchester Model 1886 rifles chambered in this cartridge ceased in 1910 due to lack of demand, and most commercial production of the cartridge itself ceased in the 1930s. New production loaded cartridges and unloaded brass cases are rare and are often created using reformed .45-70 brass. The cartridge was originally intended to outperform the similar .38-55 Winchester but in reality had very similar ballistics despite using more gunpowder.[4]